Press Room

DOYLESTOWN, PA (March 27, 2008) –The Hepatitis B Foundation headquartered in Doylestown, PA, was selected as a winner of GlaxoSmithKline’s 11th Annual IMPACT award for its dedication, effectiveness, proactive charge and significant impact on local communities. The Foundation was publicly recognized in a special ceremony hosted by GlaxoSmithKline in Philadelphia on March.

“The Hepatitis B Foundation is proud to receive the IMPACT award because it affirms our important mission and helps to publicize hepatitis B, an often overlooked disease that has affected 1 out of 20 Americans,” said Joan Block, the Foundation’s Executive Director. “We are grateful for the award which will be used to launch our Gateway to Care campaign in Philadelphia to improve access to health care for those affected by hepatitis B.”

In addition to the Hepatitis B Foundation, seven other nonprofit organizations from five counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania were honored with $40,000 each in unrestricted funding during the GlaxoSmithKline 11th Annual IMPACT Awards ceremony. Recipients included the Center for Families and Relationships of Philadelphia, the Clinic for Special Children, Inc., of Lancaster County, Community Medical and Dental Center of Montgomery County, Health Quality Partners of Bucks County, the Hepatitis B Foundation of Bucks County, the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation of Philadelphia, the Supportive Older Women’s Network of Philadelphia and the Western Berks Free Medical Clinic, Inc., of Berks County.

“These organizations inspire us to keep dedicating ourselves to making the world a better place. Individually, the work of these organizations helps people with often complex and diverse needs. Collectively, their efforts epitomize what can be accomplished by people with real passion,” said Mary Linda Andrews, GlaxoSmithKline Director, Community Partnerships. Ms. Andrews hosted the special ceremony and Dr. William Louv, GlaxoSmithKline Senior Vice President, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer served as a guest speaker.

About the Hepatitis B Foundation
The Hepatitis B Foundation is the only national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for those affected with hepatitis B worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy. The Foundation is located in the new Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, which it created to expand and accelerate its research mission. For more information, visit www.hepb.org or call (215) 489-4900.

About the GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT Awards
To qualify for a GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT Award, applicants must provide access to community healthcare services (primary mission) in the Pennsylvania counties of Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery or Philadelphia; have a total annual operating budget of less than $2.5 million; and have been in existence as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization for at least five years. A panel of local and national healthcare delivery experts and GlaxoSmithKline representatives determined the winners based on a strong demonstration of ongoing success in providing access to healthcare; commitment to serving people in need; facilitation of healthcare delivery, education, creative partnerships and policy development; and a solid record of achievement, management and leadership. For more details on the GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT Awards, visit www.gsk-us.com and click “Our work with communities,” then click “Health programs,” then click “Awards,” or call the GlaxoSmithKline Office of Community Partnerships at 215-751-5171.

About GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information, visit GlaxoSmithKline on the World Wide Web at www.gsk-us.com.